Antelope Park Church The Festival of Nine Lessons and Carols The Festival of Nine Lessons and Carols was first held on Christmas Eve 1918 at Kings College Chapel. It was planned by Eric Milner-White, who, at the age of thirty-four, had just been appointed Dean of King's after experience as an army chaplain which had convinced him that the Church of England needed more imaginative worship. A revision of the Order of Service was made in 1919, involving rearrangement of the lessons, and from that date the service has always begun with the hymn, "Once in Royal David's City". In almost every year the choice of carols has varied. The backbone of the service, the lessons and prayers, has remained virtually unchanged. The original service was, in fact, adapted from an Order drawn up by E.W. Benson, later Archbishop of Canterbury, for use in the wooden shed, which then served as his cathedral in Truro, at 10 p.m. On Christmas Eve 1880. Wherever the service is heard and however it is adapted, whether music is provided by choir or congregation, the pattern and strength of the service, as Dean Milner-White pointed out, derive from the lessons and not the music. 'The main theme is the development of the loving purposes of God...' Seen 'through the windows and the words of the Bible'. The center of the service is still found by those who 'go in heart and mind' and who consent to follow where the story leads. - from the introductory Order of Service remarks from the 2012 Christmas Eve Festival of Nine Lessons and Carols at King's College Chapel. a faith community of the Church of the Brethren 402-488-2793 lincolnbrethren.org Reverend Barbara Dickason Continuing the work of Jesus Peacefully Our longstanding commitment to peace and justice includes a deep regard for human life and dignity. Brethren reach worldwide to help repair the ravages of poverty, ignorance, exploitation, and catastrophic events. Living peacefully, to the Brethren, means treating each person with the attentive, compassionate respect that all human beings deserve. Simply We try to simplify our lives. Practicing a modest nonconformity, we think carefully about our daily choices. The ideal of simplicity guides our decisions: How will we conduct our business, raise our children, spend our leisure time, tend our natural resources? How can we live comfortably, but without excess or ostentation. For Brethren, such considerations are not a requirement, but a privilege. Together Whether worshipping, serving, learning, or celebrating, Brethren act in community. Together, we study the Bible to discern God s will; we make decisions as a group, and each person s voice matters. Our congregation welcomes all who wish to share with us in another way of living in Christian Discipleship as together we serve others. Sunday School at 9:00 Announcements and Sharing 10:00 Sunday Worship at 10:15 Gathering time 11:30
Dismissal The Rev. Barbara Dickason Recessional (The congregation is invited to remain standing and play bells during the carol as we depart to share the good news of Christ s birth.) Carol: Hark, the Herald Angels Sing 1. Hark! The herald angels sing Glory to the newborn King; Peace on earth and mercy mild, God and sinners reconciled: Joyful all ye nations rise, Join the triumph of the skies, With th angelic hosts proclaim, Christ is born in Bethlehem. Hark! the herald angels sing Glory to the newborn King. Felix Mendelssohn 2. Christ by highest heav n adored Christ the everlasting Lord, Late in time behold him come Offspring of the virgin s womb: Veiled in flesh the Godhead see, Hail th incarnate Deity! Pleased with us in flesh to dwell, Jesus our Emmanuel. Hark! the herald angels sing Glory to the newborn King. 3. Hail the heav n born Prince of Peace! Hail the Sun of Righteousness! Light and life to all he brings, Risen with healing in his wings; Mild he lays his glory by, Born that we no more may die, Born to raise the souls of earth, Born to give them second birth. Hark! the herald angels sing Glory to the newborn King. Postlude December 24, 2014 Antelope Park Church a faith community of the Church of the Brethren A Festival of Lessons and Carols Christmas Eve Service 7:00 pm See, I am sending my messenger to prepare the way before me, and the Lord whom you seek will suddenly come to his temple. The messenger of the covenant in whom you delight indeed, he is coming, says the Lord of hosts. But who can endure the day of his coming? For he is like a refiner s fire and like fullers soap; he will sit as a refiner and purifier of silver, and he will purify the descendants of Levi and refine them like gold and silver, until they present offerings to the Lord in righteousness. -- Malachi 3:1-4, NRSV abbr. Organist: Alan Thompson
Prelude Organist Alan Thompson Welcome Carol: Silent Night Ninth Lesson The mystery of the incarnation is unfolded. (John 1:1-5,14) Jay Penner, Reader Franz Grüber Call to Worship (The Congregation is invited to rise and play bells.) Carol: Once in Royal David s City 1. Once in Royal David s City Stood a lowly cattle shed, Where a mother laid her Baby In a manger for His bed: Mary was that mother mild, Jesus Christ, her little Child. 3. For he is our childhood s pattern Day by day like us he grew, He was little, weak and helpless, Tears and smiles like us he knew. And he feeleth for our sadness, And he shareth in our gladness. Bidding Prayer (The Congregation should be seated) Reverend Barbara Dickason Henry J. Gauntlett 2. He came down to earth from heaven Who is God and Lord of all, And his shelter was a stable, And his cradle was a stall: With the poor, and meek, and lowly Lived on earth our Savior Holy. 4. And our eyes at last shall see him, Through his own redeeming love, For that child so dear and gentle Is our Lord in heaven above; And he leads his children on To the place where he is gone. Stille Nacht! Heilige Nacht! Alles schlaft, einsam wacht Nur das traute hoch heilige Paar. Holder Knabe im lockigen Haar, Schlaf in himmlischer Ruh, Schlaf in himmlischer Ruh! (After the first verse is sung in German, the congregation is invited to rise and form a circle. As we sing Silent Night, please share Christ s light by tipping your unlit candle into the flame of the lighted candle next to you.) Instrumental Interlude: Still, Still, Still Traditional German Carol Flutist: Rob Dickason, Organist: Alan Thompson 1. Silent Night! Holy Night! All is calm, all is bright Round yon Virgin Mother and Child Holy Infant, so tender and mild. Sleep in heavenly peace, Sleep in heavenly peace. 2. Silent Night! Holy Night! Shepherds quake at the sight; Glories stream from heaven afar, Heav nly hosts sing Alleluia, Christ the Savior is born! Christ the Savior is born! 3. Silent Night! Holy Night! Son of God, love s pure light Radiant beams from thy holy face, With the dawn of redeeming grace, Jesus, Lord at Thy birth! Jesus, Lord at Thy birth!
Advent Celebration Advent Reading Eighth Lesson, continues (The congregation is invited to remain standing and play bells during the carol.) Reverend Barbara Dickason Lighting the Christ Candle (The congregation is invited to stand and sing as the Christ Candle is lit.) Carol: Joy to the World 1. Joy to the world, the Lord is come! Let earth receive her king; Let ev'ry heart prepare him room, And heav'n and nature sing, And heav'n and nature sing, And heav'n and heav'n and nature sing. Watts/Mason 2. Joy to the earth, the Savior reigns! Let all their songs employ While fields and floods, Rocks, hills, and plains, Repeat the sounding joy, Repeat the sounding joy, Repeat, repeat the sounding joy. Congregational Response: O Come, O Come Immanuel anon. 15th c. O Come, O Come Immanuel, O Come, thou Wisdom from on high, and ransom captive Israel, and order all things far and nigh. that mourns in lowly exile here, To us the path of knowledge show, Until the Son of God appear. and cause us in thy ways to go. Rejoice! Rejoice! Immanuel Rejoice! Rejoice! Immanuel shall come to thee, O Israel. shall come to thee, O Israel. 3. No more let sins and sorrows grow, Nor thorns infest the ground. He comes to make his blessing flow Far as the curse is found, Far as the curse is found, Far as, far as the curse is found. 4. He rules the world with truth and grace, And makes the nations prove The glories of his righteousness, And wonders of his love, And wonders of his love, And wonders, wonders of his love. First Lesson (The Congregation should be seated) Eve and Adam listen to the serpent instead of to God, and acquire knowledge: knowledge of heartbreak and tragedy that counterbalances their knowledge of love and peace. (Genesis 3) Carol: Jesu, joy of man s desiring 1. Jesu, joy of man s desiring, Holy wisdom, love most bright, drawn by thee, our souls aspiring soar to uncreated light. Word of God, our flesh that fashioned, with the fire of life impassioned, striving still to truth unknown, soaring, dying, round thy throne. Brian Christy, Reader Janus, Schop, Bach 2. Thru the way, where hope is guiding 3. hark, what peaceful music rings, where the flock, in thee confiding, drink of joy from deathless springs. Theirs is beauty s fairest pleasure. Theirs is wisdom s holiest treasure. Thou dost ever lead thine own in the love of joys unknown.
Second Lesson God promises that the nations of the earth will be blessed through Abraham. (Genesis 22:15-18) Karen Swenson, Reader Carol: Angels we have heard on high 1. Angels we have heard on high, singing sweetly through the night, and the mountains in reply echoing their brave delight. arr. Mark Hayes 2. Shepherds, why this jubilee? Why these songs of happy cheer? What great brightness did see? What glad tidings did you hear? Eighth Lesson (The Congregation should be seated) The Wise men are led to Jesus. (Matthew 2:1-11) Carmen Perzinski, Reader (The congregation is invited to stand and play bells during the refrain of the carol.) Carol: The First Noel Traditional English Carol 3. Come to Bethlehem and see him whose birth the angels sing, Come, adore on bended knee Christ, the Lord, the newborn King Refrain: 4. See him in a manger laid whom the angels praise above. Mary, Joseph, lend your aid, while we raise your hearts in love. Glo - -- ria! In excelsis Deo, Glo - -- ria! In excelsis Deo. 1. The first Noel, the angel did say, was to certain poor shepherds in fields as they lay in fields where they lay keeping their sheep, on a cold winter s night that was so deep. 2. They looked up and saw a star shining in the East, beyond them far and to the earth it gave great light, and so it continued both day and night. Third Lesson The Birth of Christ is foretold by Isaiah. (Isaiah 11:1-3, 6) Judy Wrightsman, Reader Carol: It came upon a midnight clear 1. It came upon a midnight clear, that glorious song of old, from angels bending near the earth to touch their harps of gold: Peace on the earth, good will to all from heaven s gracious King. The world in solemn stillness lay, to hear the angels sing. Sears/Willis 2.Still thru the cloven skies they come with peaceful wings unfurled, and still their heav nly music floats o er all the weary world. Above its sad and lowly plains they bend on hov ring wing, and ever o er its Babel sounds the blessed angels sing. 3. And by the light of that same star three wise men came from country far. To seek for a king was their intent, and to follow the star wherever it went. 4. This star drew nigh to the Northwest, O er Bethlehem it took its rest, And there it did both stop and stay, right over the place where Jesus lay. 5. Then entered in those wise men three, full rev rently upon the knee, and offered there in his presence, their gold and myrrh and frankincense. Carol: Hallelujah! Vocalist: Morgan Dickason, and Guitarist: Ben Hadley Cohen
Carol: Do you hear what I hear? Seventh Lesson The shepherds go to the manger. (Luke 2:8-16) Al Berndt, Reader Vocalist: Alan Thompson Regney/Shayne Fourth Lesson The peace of Christ is foretold by Isaiah. (Isaiah 11:1-3,6) Carol: You are the Sacred Mystery John Doran, Reader Edwards/Paris Carol: While shepherds watched their flocks Tate/Handel 1. While shepherds watched their flocks by night, All seated on the ground, The angel of the Lord came down, And glory shone around, And glory shone around! 3. To you in David s town, this day is born of David s line the Savior, who is Christ the Lord, And this shall be the sign: And this shall be the sign: 2. Fear not! said he for mighty dread Had seized their troubled mind Glad tidings of great joy I bring, To you and humankind, To you and humankind 4. The heavenly Babe you there shall find To human view displayed, all humbly wrapped in swathing bands, And in a manger laid, And in a manger laid. 1. You are the sacred mystery: true bread and wine for all to see. The stable creatures stop and stare: the Lamb of God is lying there. 2. The humble virgin has been blessed to be the mother of this Guest. You are the sacred mystery: true bread and wine for all to see. 5. Thus spoke the seraph and forthwith appeared a shining throng of angels praising God, and thus addressed their joyful song, addressed their joyful song: 6. All glory be to God on high and to the earth be peace, goodwill henceforth from heaven to all, Begin and never cease! Begin and never cease! Carol: O little town of Bethlehem Brooks/Redner Bass Guitarist: Steve Ward, and Saxophonist: Robert Dickason
Carol: The Angel Gabriel 1. The angel Gabriel from heaven came, his wings as drifted snow his eyes as flame. All hail, said he, thou lowly maiden Mary, most highly favored lady, Glo-ri-a! Fifth Lesson The angel Gabriel visits Mary. (Luke 1:26-38) Dalene and Josh Ward, Readers Baring-Gould/Basque Carol 3. Then gentle Mary meekly bowed her head, To me be as it plaster God, she said. My soul shall laud and magnify his holy name. most highly favored lady, Glo-ri-a! Carol: O Come, all ye faithful 1. O Come, all ye faithful, Joyful and triumphant, O Come, ye, O come ye to Bethlehem. Come and behold him, Born the king of angels. 3. Sing, choirs of angels, Sing in exultation, Sing, all ye citizens of heav'n above; Glory to God All glory in the highest. 2. For known as blessed mother thou shalt be, all generations laud and honor thee. Thy son shall be Immanuel by seers foretold, most highly favored lady, Glo-ri-a! 2. True God of true God, Light of light eternal, Our lowly nature He hath not abhorred; Son of the Father, Begotten not created. John F. Wade 4. Yea, Lord we greet thee, Born this happy morning, Jesus, to thee be all glory giv'n; Word of the Father, Now in flesh appearing. Carol: Away in the Manger 1. Away in a manger, no crib for a bed, the little Lord Jesus laid down his sweet head. The stars in the bright sky looked down where he lay, the little Lord Jesus asleep on the hay. Sixth Lesson The birth of Jesus is foretold to Joseph. (Matthew 1:18-23) Michelle Horner, Reader 3. Be near me, Lord Jesus, I ask the to stay close by me forever, and love me, I pray. Bless all the dear children in thy tender care, And fit us for heaven to live with thee there. Carol: Go, tell it on the mountain 2. The cattle are lowing, the baby awakes, but little Lord Jesus no crying he makes. I love thee, Lord Jesus! Look down from the sky and stay by my side until morning is nigh. Mueller/Traditional Kirkpatrick/Cradle Song John Wesley Works, Jr. Bass Guitarist: Steve Ward, and Saxophonist: Robert Dickason Refrain: O Come, let us adore him, O Come, let us adore him, O Come, let us adore him, Christ the Lord.